All is not well in the political family of Governor Rochas Okorocha as mutual suspicion and mudsling have taken over the once rosy relationship existing among the governor’s lieutenants in Government House.
The cause of the frosty affair may not be unconnected to who gets-what for 2015 should Okorocha goes for a second tenure ticket or decides to run for a national office like President or Vice President. In the unfolding drama which Trumpeta stumbled onto, the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere is reported to be at the losing end as those opposed to his continued stay in office as Deputy Governor and rosy affair with Governor Okorocha are pulling strings to shove him aside.
It would be recalled that Trumpeta few weeks ago exclusively revealed that the issue of who gets the nod to act as Okorocha’s running mate should the governor finally joins the race for 2015 guber race is breeding cold war in the Rescue Mission camp. This news paper reeled out names of those tipped to be Okorocha’s Deputy as the race hits up.
Trumpeta learnt that in confirmation of the earlier report of the suspected skirmishes in Okorocha’s political family, some key players of the inner caucus are said to be perfecting strategies to shore up the image of a particular office holder said to be influential in Government House, other than Madumere.
Authoritative sources in Government House, Owerri revealed that a campaign structure of the governor, named Vote Rochas Club is allegedly working behind the scene to drum support for the said favoured candidate (names withheld). The Vote Rochas Club is said to be the only visible and running political outfit championing Okorocha’s next political quest. Vote Rochas Club is also said to be receiving backing and logistics support from the governor, hence, the believe in Rescue Mission quarters that it is the epicenter of Okorocha’s campaign machinery.
Trumpeta further gathered that a rally to be held by Vote Rochas Club in the state will serve as a launch pad to possibly unmask the candidate being tipped to run with Okorocha as Deputy Governor in 2015. Madumere’s office is said to be informed about the subtle means to outwit them ahead 2015. The plot of the Vote Rochas Club which is the main umbrella unit of prominent appointees in Okorocha regime is to prop up and give the said official vintage position and support to war into the heart of governor as the most appropriate for the position against the incumbent. Apart from expressing surprise about the activities of the Vote Rochas Club working against his interest, the Deputy Governor’s office is disturbed that a particular commissioner from Mbaise is the architect-in-chief of the anti-Madumere campaign in Government House. Madumere’s aides are reported to be expressing dismay that the suspected commissioner was neither part of the governor’s political family nor joined in the campaign for 2011 governorship success to come up with inflammable ideas in the political family. According to reliable sources, the fair-skinned commissioner reported to be eyeing one elective position in 2015, in his area came in contact with the governor through Madumere who also facilitated his appointment as commissioner. It was believed that the action of the commissioner was betrayal of trust and case of political misadventure for attempting to jettison his benefactor for another person for the position of Okorocha’s running mate or governorship candidate should the governor seeks presidential ticket.
In the meantime, those sympathetic to Madumere are reported not to be leaving any stone unturned in their bid to maintain the status quo and frustrate the grand design. While retaining the support of the governor, the Madumere camp are said to be monitoring closely all the activities of various campaign groups garnering support for Okorocha with a view determining which one is opposed and intends to demystify the interest of the Achi Mbieri-born Prince who recently celebrated one year in office.
The contact numbers of media aide to Madumere and officials of Vote Rochas Club were not reachable before press time.
